My Real Life

Monkey Girl’s birthday is the 23rd of February.

However, when she was just about to turn 3, I was nine months pregnant with Monkey in the Middle (who, at the time, I guess we would have called Baby Monkey, but that’s just confusing to think about). 

I was scheduled for a c-section on February 16th, which was two weeks before my due date.  I figured that I would have her birthday party a few weeks before her birthday, rather than when I was home with the baby, so that none of her birthday attention would be given to the baby.

So, we had the party on Sunday the 15th. 

Just family, but since we have such a large family, saying “just” family doesn’t mean it was a small affair.

Everyone had a great time.

Except for me.

Oh, don’t get me wrong…it was fun.

However, at about the time everyone started arriving, I started having contractions.

I decided not to tell anyone and let them progess over the next three hours of the party.  This was the last time anything would be only about Monkey Girl, and I wanted to let her have her moment.

My Mom stayed to help clean up, when it was over, and as she was ready to go, I walked her to the door and said, “If you could run home now, pack your bag, come back and watch Julia tonight, I think we need to get going to the hospital.”

She left, and about five hours and a c-section later, we met our little Monkey in the Middle.

Right from the start, he was a serious baby.

Like, really serious.  Grumpy little face.  Smiles reserved for gas passing and eating.

But, as he grew, that smile started to show on a more regular basis.

I know.  Right?  Heartbreaker!

He bonded with his cousin, the one with whom I call him “Double Trouble.”

I call them Double Trouble, but the truth is, they aren’t trouble. 

They just really enjoy each other’s company, and it’s so nice to see.

When they get older, they may become schemers and the “trouble” title may apply, but I guess if you are going to hatch a scheme, might as well be with family, right?

Now, he’s six.

He’s still a very serious guy.

He has a silly side, but the truth is, he’s a serious guy through and through.

He’s a mama’s boy.

No arguing that.

This guy wants his mama, and despite the fact that I encourage his independence at every turn, his mama wants to be with him just as much.

He’s so smart, but hates attention.

He’s notices everything and absorbs every detail in every situation.

He’s very much like his Dad in that regard.

He’s a thinker, a planner, a doer.

He’s sporty and athletic.

He’s also very much like his Mom with his 0-60 temper and his low tolerance for things not being done “just so.”

But he’s mine, all mine and I think he’s wonderful.

I love this guy and am celebrating the heck outta his life today.

Happy Birthday, big boy!